ADO v PEC Zwolle

ADO had a two week break between fixtures thanks to the nuclear summit here in The Hague. The players were given extra days off to fully relax and give a rest to all the niggling aches and pains they may have been suffering. So after this extended break fans were expecting to see a display full of drive and attack and that is not exactly what they got.

The opening period of the game from both sides was disjointed, there was no look of purpose or hunger in the play. Understandable from Zwolle, safe in mid table and have just qualified for the KNVB Beker (Cup) final, meaning they have a place in Europe. ADO still not safe from the relegation play-offs were still in dire need of points.

It was Zwolle who had got themselves in front thanks to some bad luck in the ADO penalty area. In the twentieth minute a corner from the right by Bart Hintum was floated in toward the area. Gino Coutinho came out to claim the ball and collided with his own defender Gianni Zuiverloon, both players fell to the floor leaving the easiest of headers for Maikel van der Werff to make it 0-1.

ADO did not really look like responding quickly as they looked far from comfortable. Things changed when Mitchell Schet was replaced by Yanic Wildschut on the half hour. The introduction of Wildschut saw a better forceful ADO, the substitute driving through midfield and down the left wing. He was a real handful for the Zwolle defence, as he was capable of bulldozing his way through their ranks.

ADO began to look threatening and in the thirty eighth minute only a super save by Zwolle keeper Kevin Begois kept out a close range header from Tommie Beugelsdijk. Six minutes later ADO got level. The visitors were penned back and were finding it difficult to clear the ball away. The ball came out to Aaron Meijers who headed the ball to Roland Alberg. The striker controlled the ball, swivelled and struck a right footed shot from twenty five metres looping over Begois into the back of the net, stunning strike, 1-1.

The second half was a better game, several chances to both sides. The defenders of both sides coming out on top, brave blocks being the order of the day.

In the eighty eighth minute Zwolle almost snatched the victory no side deserved. The ADO off-side trap was easily breached and Fred Benson found himself in a one on one race with Coutinho. The battle of nerves was won by the ADO keeper, Coutinho sprinted forward and Benson lost his cool and put his shot wide of the post, a real let off for the home side.

At the final whistle a few points of interest became clear. This was ADO’s seventh game without defeat under Henk Fraser. Alberg had now scored five goals in five games. Two of ADO’s big players, Mike van Duinen and Beugelsdijk were given yellow cards and will now miss the trip to FC Twente on Wednesday.

ADO man of the match: Yanic Wildschut, really changed the game for ADO when he came on.